Indonesian Navy Cadets Set Sail for 'Maritime Fulcrum' Diplomatic Mission
Jakarta. A total of 103 Indonesian Navy cadets set sail from Surabaya on Monday on a diplomatic mission to several Asian countries and Australia in support of a government campaign to turn the country into a "maritime fulcrum."
The cadets were seen off at a Navy port in Surabaya by Navy Commander Admiral Siwi Sukma Adji on Monday.
They will visit Manila in the Philippines, Osaka in Japan, Busan in South Korea, Shanghai in China, Brunei Darussalam, Lumut in Malaysia, Phuket in Thailand, Rangoon in Myanmar, Padang in West Sumatra, Tanjung Benoa in Bali and Darwin in Australia before sailing back to Surabaya.
Their journey is expected to take 96 days aboard the Navy vessel KRI Bima Suci.
One of the pillars of the government's Maritime Fulcrum policy is diplomacy, and this mission is one manifestation of that diplomatic zeal, Admiral Siwi said.
"The Navy is happy to support the policy. We've named this mission the Indonesian Global Maritime Fulcrum Brotherhood," Admiral Siwi said in a statement.
The mission, led by KRI Bima Suci captain Lt. Col. Waluyo, has the immediate goals of promoting Indonesian culture and tourism and improving relations between Navy cadets from different countries.
The cadets will also spend their time out at sea to improve their navigation skills and learn more about astronomy.
Ten foreign cadets, five from Malaysia and five from Australia, will join the KRI Buma Suci at different stages on its journey. Five Malaysian Navy cadets will join the vessel from Brunei Darussalam to Lumut and the five Australians will join from Tanjung Benoa to Darwin.
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